Death Valley National Park has the hottest overall temperatures on earth, including the highest recorded air temperature of 134 degrees. With an average of less than two inches of rain a year, the plants there manage to eke out their survival in harsh conditions.
So during the rare years when several inches of rain show up in a few months in fall and winter, it’s miraculous for plants. The long-dormant seeds burst out in carpets of wildflowers across the desert floor. Luckily for me, for five days in February I was able to experience this spectacle.
I have stories to share about my journey in a future post. For now, it’s all about photos of the flowers.
Desert five-spot, an uncommon flower
Desert gold, the showy and densely growing flower that turns entire landscapes yellow
Scented cryptantha, easy to miss with its tiny blossoms
Notch-leaf phacelia—I was glad a ranger warned me that touching it can cause a rash
The night-blooming brown-eyed evening primrose, at sunset as blossoms opened
Lesser mohavea
Golden evening primrose soon after sunrise, with the notch-leaf phacelia
Pebble pincushion, the only one of this species that I saw
Purplemat
Desert-star, looking like miniature daisies
Gravel ghost
(Two additional Death Valley posts feature my adventure in a storm and more landscapes.) For more of this ephemeral beauty, check out Death Valley National Park’s video about this year’s bloom.
Woodswoman Writes 
Thank you for the beginning of what I hope will be several “illustrated blogs”. We are so glad you took the opportunity to be part of the amazing bloom in Death Valley. Looking at your first flower pictures (and the video you suggested and one more that “popped up” that ended with a wonderful sunset) was a lovely way to end our evening at home. It helped us remember that we are but a small part of the world and its life – a life that includes the plants, and the weather, and a time scale well beyond our own tiny time on earth. We loved the close-ups and look forward to your next views and descriptions of your time in Death Valley. G’night from Detroit (filled with snow and cold at the moment.) Harriet Saperstein
Yes, it certainly gives you perspective being in a place like that. I’ve got at least one more post in the works, maybe two.
Excellent photos!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta get over there, with my guide book!
You’ve got some time if you’re open to seeing the flowers that will bloom at higher elevations.
Nice photos. So many little beauties!
I’ve never seen the desert carpeted like that. In many places, I literally had to watch where I put my feet to avoid stepping on them.
Those were beautiful. Thank you for going and showing these, I felt like a little piece of me got to go too!
Great, that was the intention.
Exceptionally good photos!! You certainly picked the best time of year to go.
Coming from you as an accomplished photographer, that means a lot–thanks!
Beautiful photos! What a thrill to capture a night-blooming flower as it opens at sunset!
I was chasing that one around for a few days trying to find the best spot to take the photo at sunset.
Beautiful photos and writing.
Thanks for the kind words.
When I was there, I thought the flowers bloomed every year during this season. I didn’t know how rare the occasion was and how lucky we were.
Sometimes the most incredible experiences are a stroke of luck, eh? For those reading this blog, Rechito has a terrific blog of his own called Expedition Hobo, http://expeditionhobo.com. You can see his posts about his own trip to Death Valley there.
Thank you for the kind words